Have you ever wondered how a medical emergency is treated in space, or thought about the way microgravity affects human physiology?
Ethan Stephens, D.O., has, and he is receiving training to provide medical care to crew members and passengers of air and space vehicles. After graduating from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) in 2020 and completing a family medicine residency in 2023, he is now beginning an aerospace medicine residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch that he will complete in 2026.
Aerospace medicine focuses on the clinical care, research and operational support of the health and safety of space personnel.
“I knew I wanted to get training in family medicine, but I also had an interest in engineering and spaceflight. I found out about aerospace medicine late in medical school and was able to observe some online lectures about the specialty. I have been hooked ever since,” the Fairbanks, Alaska, native said.
Stephens’ current residency program includes a master’s degree in aerospace medicine which allows him to learn more about public health, preventive medicine and specific challenges that arise while managing patients in the field of aerospace medicine.
Stephens said he can utilize his training in primary care to build upon for the unique specialty.
“You may participate in a private telemedicine conference with someone on the ISS [International Space Station], meet with engineers to consult on the health requirements of a vehicle, discuss aeromedical requirements of pilots with the Federal Aviation Administration or provide medical care to patients who have just arrived on earth from their mission in space,” he said. “These are examples of the unique things aerospace medicine physicians do.”
The most intriguing part of the specialty for Stephens is determining answers to new, complicated problems. Working with a team of physicians from varied medical specialties means better collaboration in the field.
“Everyone in our current group of residents comes from different backgrounds and specialties — family practice, emergency medicine, internal medicine, pulmonary and critical care, undersea and hyperbaric (diving) medicine, wilderness medicine and psychiatry — with different perspectives and skill sets. It is great to be able to learn from and teach new things to each other,” he said.
Having a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree will allow Stephens to provide a skill where he can use his hands to offer patients osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) techniques.
“OMM is encouraged. There are many physical and psychological stresses that astronauts and pilots encounter, and treating a patient’s body, mind and spirit are essential to quality care,” he said. “Utilizing OMM skills is another tool we can use as D.O.s to help our patients in any environment.”
Stephens wants medical students to realize the abundance of specialty and subspecialty career options, especially in preventive or occupational medicine, which can include aerospace medicine, environmental medicine, public health, addiction medicine, clinical informatics, health care administration and management, medical toxicology and hyperbaric medicine.
Although few people are aware of these niche fields, Stephens thinks the public is becoming increasingly aware of the specialty.
“You do not generally hear about the medical professionals taking care of pilots and astronauts, which is a good thing because the crew are the focus,” he said. “I think more information is being presented to medical students and residents about this career due to a higher emphasis on space travel in recent years. It is a growing career option that I believe will continue to expand.”